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Grant and Curbishley in positive mood

Fulham coaches Peter Grant and Alan Curbishley have been tasked with picking the side to get a first win at MK Dons.

The search for a new manager continues after ex-Chelsea defender Steve Clarke U-turned on any switch from Reading yesterday leaving the caretakers to add final touches for a first competitive visit to Stadium MK.

Fulham are set to welcome back Jazz Richards and Ryan Fredericks, with one of the summer signings slotting in at right-back, a luxury denied sacked boss Kit Symons in the 5-2 defeat to Birmingham that cost him his job a fortnight ago.

Grant has been running the rule over returning internationals that include Tim Ream and Lasse Vigen Christensen, but made it plain any talk of fatigue fell on deaf ears.

The ex-Norwch manager, now U21s chief at the Cottage, reckons a managerless side are in good spirits despite uncertainty at the helm.

He said: "The boys have prepared really well and say there are no concerns. People think they must be telling lies."

"But you're (players) job is to play the game no matter who's in charge. Your job doesn't change.

"We have a clean bill of health with most of the players coming back, and I'm very happy with players coming back from international duty.

"Some had two games, and some didn't play. That's part and parcel of the modern game.

"If you tell some they are tired, they will be tired," he said.

More than 3,000 Fulham fans will make the relatively short trip up the M1 in hope of a third Championship away win, although long term injuries to Marcus Bettinelli and Andy Lonergan leaves Whites with only Joe Lewis and untried 18-year-old Marek Rodak to cover the goalkeeper slots.